Nora Ephron’s thoughts on ‘having it all’

Hours after the announcement of Nora Ephron’s death, a speech she gave in 1996 started circling the Internet. In it, the prolific writer weighs in on the question of the moment, proving that her best assets — irony and comedic timing — will continue to live on in her work.Author, screenwriter and director Nora Ephron at her home in New York.
(Charles Sykes - AP)

Maybe young women don’t wonder whether they can have it all any longer, but in case any of you are wondering, of course you can have it all. What are you going to do? Everything, is my guess. It will be a little messy, but embrace the mess. It will be complicated, but rejoice in the complications. It will not be anything like what you think it will be like, but surprises are good for you. And don’t be frightened: You can always change your mind. I know: I’ve had four careers and three husbands.

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Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.